Created on Friday, 21 June 2013
Written by THE BELLEFONTAINE EXAMINER STAFF

Donald E. Blair, 78, of West Mansfield, died Wednesday, June 19, 2013, at St. Rita’s Medical Center, Lima, with his family at his side.

He was born in Oil Springs, Ky., on Dec. 15, 1934, to the late James Orville and Erie Collinsworth Blair. He also was preceded in death by a daughter, Diana Gibson, on March 28, 2013; three sisters, Judy Blair, Linda Blair and Rose Corwin; infant twin sisters; and a brother, Edgel Blair.

Survivors include his devoted wife of 60 years, Nancy Green Blair, whom he married June 2, 1953, in Indiana; four children, Debra (Jim) Furlong of West Mansfield, Dan (Jane) Blair of Zanesfield, David “Bob” Blair of West Mansfield and Darla “Sandy” (Craig) Shaw of Mt. Victory; a son-in-law, John Gibson of West Mansfield; seven grandchildren, J.D. (Jessica) Gibson, Haley Gibson, Brayton Blair, Colt Blair, Jeremy Furlong, James Furlong and Jeffrey Shaw; six great-grandchildren; two sisters, Shirley Ann (Jim) Salyers of Cable and Sandy (Don) Ackers of Salyersville, Ky.; three brothers, Delmar (Mary) Blair of Zanesfield, Warren (Debby) Blair of West Liberty and William (Cindi) Blair of DeGraff; and many nieces and nephews.

He was a retired truck driver with Morton Buildings, where he was employed for 22 years until suffering a debilitating stroke in 1996. He faced his condition each day with courage and continued to be a loving family man.

A member of the West Mansfield Church of Christ, Don enjoyed woodworking in his younger years and especially enjoyed baseball, fishing, and rooting for the Buckeyes, Browns and Reds.

Dean Wasson officiates a funeral at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Mannasmith-Schnurrenberger Funeral Home, West Mansfield, where visitation is from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday. Burial is in Zanesfield Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the West Mansfield Church of Christ and the Logan County Cancer Society.